Communities face unique trust challenges, but they do not have to solve them alone. When leaders connect with peers, share ideas, and learn from one another’s experiences, they can strengthen and amplify their impact.
– Olajumoke Banjo, Senior Director, Alliance for Social Trust
About the Awards
The Knowledge Exchange Awards provide up to $2,000 to help local leaders learn from peers, build partnerships, explore new approaches, and bring new ideas back to their communities.
Eligibility & Supported Activities
Knowledge Exchange Awards are open to community organizations working to strengthen trust, civic participation, social connection, and related community-building efforts.
Awards are intended to cover activities that may include but are not limited to:
- Collaborating on a joint workshop, training, or initiative that deepens community trust-building efforts
- Visiting another community to learn from a peer organization
- Hosting a peer organization for shared learning or training
Awards may not be used for political activity, lobbying, or conference registration fees.
Questions about eligible uses? Contact us at allianceforsocialtrust@aspeninstitute.org.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- Organization details and contact information
- A brief description of the organization’s trust-building work
- A brief description of the proposed activity and expected outcomes
- A budget breakdown
Recipient Commitments
Within one month of the completed activity, recipients are asked to:
- Share a brief summary of how the awards were used, what was learned, and how the activity advanced your trust-building work.
- Share photos or videos, if available.
- Acknowledge support from the Alliance for Social Trust, an initiative of the Aspen Institute and Allstate, in any public-facing materials related to the activity.
Application Submission Timeline
Applications should be submitted at least two months before the proposed activity. Applications submitted less than two months before the proposed activity may still be considered; however, review and acceptance will depend on factors such as application volume and available funds.
Decisions will be communicated within 2-3 weeks of submission.